Between Two Kings (Split or Swallow #2)

by Lindsay Straube

Tem had chosen Caspen. But it wasn’t because she didn’t love Leo. It was because she wanted more for Leo. And in doing so, she had accepted less for herself.

But I told you, Tem, there is no one else I want.” He said the rest gently into her mind: My body and my heart belong to you.

“It is easy,” he whispered, “to worship you.”

We do not have to eat here, Caspen’s voice came to her, amused. It is not required. I’m fine. You look as if you might faint. I won’t. Your eyes are closed. I’m just resting. At the dining table? Yes. A rather odd place to rest, my love.

And why am I so special? Because with you, the reward is worth the wait.

“She is beautiful,” he said. “You did well.” “Her beauty is none of my doing.”

“How can you always think the best of me?” “Because you are the best of me,” he said simply.

This dinner was a terrible idea. To her surprise, amusement seeped from his mind to hers. I think it is going rather well. Seriously? Yes. I had expected you to throw something by this point.

Your heart says otherwise.” “My heart?” “I can hear it beating, Temperance. It speeds up whenever you look at me.” Tem looked pointedly at the ground. Caspen had told her the same thing the first time they’d eaten a meal together. Your heartbeat, he’d said. It is irregular. “My heartbeat is none of your business.” “And yet, it beats so loudly, I can hear nothing else.” “Well, stop listening.” “You are rather difficult to tune out, Temperance.”

“I would do anything you asked, Tem,” he whispered. “Whether I am bound to you or not.”

We should have…a chaperone or something.” Leo let out a dull laugh. “A fucking chaperone isn’t going to stop me from wanting you, Tem.”

I shall keep you company.” “You don’t have to do that.” “I insist.” “You insist?” “I beg.” “That’s better.”

Evil woman. You have no idea how good you look.

“Do you have any idea how precious you are to me?”

Are your feelings for him sincere? They are. Why should I believe you? Damon looked at Gabriel, who looked at him. Gabriel gave him a dazzling smile, which Damon returned. He is like sunlight.

How can you take up so much space in my mind?”

You are delicious when you are in denial.

She needed Caspen like she needed air.

“Do you have to look so good when you come here?”

I know you shouldn’t be talking to me. Talking to you is hardly a crime. The way you talk, it is.

burned for her—craved her as a starving man craved his last meal. She

Something in Apollo cradled her—held her—in a way Tem deeply needed to be held.

Lying is a sin, Temperance. Don’t talk to me about sins. Would you rather I perform them instead?

had dimples, Tem realized. They were cute.

Helplessly—that was the way he looked at her.

“Tem,” he said again, quietly this time. “No matter what your heart decides, know that you are worth fighting for.”

“The day you take her from me is the day I die.”

“Will you stay with me?” she whispered. “Always.”

Tem would sooner stop breathing than stop loving Leo.

“It has never been easy with you,” Caspen continued quietly. “Most likely it never will be. But I do not need easy. I do not want easy.” He tilted her head up to his, whispering the rest against her lips. “I just want you.” Then he kissed her.

“Watch what you fucking say about my wife.”

“I don’t need an apology.” “Then what do you need?” She shouldn’t have asked. Because she already knew the answer. “You.”

“Anything is better than seeing you bleed, Tem.”

Everyone else will be naked. It will be disrespectful if you’re the only one wearing clothes.” “So now it’s an insult if I’m not naked?” “Yes. It is.” “Kora.” “Would you just take these off already?” She yanked at the leg of his trousers. “We don’t have all night.” Leo ran his fingers through his hair before letting out a heavy sigh. “Will you be naked too?” “Yes.” He seemed to cheer up at that. “Very well.” “Really? Now you’re ready?” “I am but a man, Tem,” he smirked. That he was.

“I want you for the rest of my life, Tem. I don’t care what it takes. I want you and I need you and I love you and you’re mine.”

All she wanted was to cherish this perfect, exquisite boy. He was her anchor. Her beacon. Her home.

“I was your first love, Tem,” Caspen whispered. “He will be your last.”

I was living in darkness, and the sun came up when I met you.

I cannot blame you for loving him when I myself could not resist loving

It has been the greatest honor of my life to love you. I only hope I was worthy of your love in return.

Doesn’t he ever eat? Don’t answer that. I don’t want to think about what he’s been eating when it’s all I want to eat too.

Are you aware that every time you come here, you look more beautiful than you did the time before? How dare you look like that. It should be illegal to be so stunning. And don’t think I don’t notice when you wear something low-cut. I know you do it for me. And I know you know I know. Stop doing that. Yours, Leo P.S. Never stop doing that.

Why is it that every time we look at each other, it feels like stars colliding?

I swear I feel worse every day I’m not with you. It’s like I need to touch you, and if I don’t, I’ll die. Do you feel that too? Or do I yearn alone?

You’re in the whiskey I drink, the books I read, the stars I see. You’re a part of me. Is it the same for you? Or did I imagine us?

Apollo memorized every inch of her body as if it were scripture,

Tem’s beauty was arresting—life altering.

Tem deserved to know that she was perfect, that she could do no wrong, that she was an angel and a goddess and an anomaly. Apollo wished to give her that clarity.

He would always yearn for her.